It’s possible that the power of social networking cuts both ways.
Social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook (especially MySpace) have long been criticized for “enabling” child predators. The latest critique comes from Dr. Himanshu Tyagi, a British psychiatrist. According to a report by the BBC, Tyagi says that “people with active online identities might place less value on their real lives…adding that this could raise the risk of impulsive acts or even suicide.”
The story quickly became sensationalized and spread around blogs and other news outlets:
British Psychiatrist Warns About Dangers Of Social Networking Websites
Doctor: Social networking sites skew kids’ world view
New Study Probes Social Networking Generation
The Child’s Conception of Social Networking
Dr. Tyagi responded via a press release to clarify his comments:
To put the talk into context, it was meant for a professional audience, and it purpose was to create awareness amongst psychiatrists about the potential intergenerational difficulties we might run into if we remain oblivious to the growing importance of internet and its application in the lives of young people.”
”It’s important to understand that my perspective is that of a clinical psychiatrist. I did not ‘warn’ general public or professionals about social working websites as reported. If anything I warned professionals about the dangers of ignorance about the changing world that their young patients exist and are growing in. My talk was meant to be open-ended, thought provoking and constructive.
Meanwhile, the Houston Chronicle runs a story advising that “Nonprofits should make use of social networking.” A key piece of advice is to “start attending meetings of NetSquared, an organization with chapters throughout North America that help nonprofits enter and navigate the social Web.”
And The WIP just posted the following story: “Social Networking Site Put into Action: Darfur Blog on MySpace Encourages Awareness.”
My experience in keeping this blog demonstrates the advantage bloggers have over the mainstream media – free press. Bloggers have the freedom to include perspectives and ideas that are often not included in mainstream coverage. This article is a jumping-off point for me to begin sharing my blog with readers of The WIP by cross-posting my Darfur coverage on The WIP’s TALK blog.
By maintaining this blog, I have found an online community of people interested in staying informed on Darfur and I have given them perspectives that are often missed in the mainstream. I’m happy to be able to fill this void and connect with others who are also using whatever means possible to break the silence.
How do we reconcile these polar opposites? Or do we even need to?
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